Family fun on the farm

FANTASTIC weather ensured that the recent National Open Farm Day in Newtownmountkennedy was a huge success.

Held on the farm of Tom and Geraldine Short, the event which was organised by Agri Aware drew large crowds to the farm.

As an eighth generation farmer, Tom Short has always had farming in his blood. His wife Geraldine is also from a farming family, on her mother’s side, and for them this life is the only one they would choose, despite its challenges.

The family farm is largely involved in tillage, growing crops, but also continues the county’s proud tradition of sheep farming. The couple have four children: Conor, Niamh, Brian and Ciara.

The Shorts work year round to produce lamb, oats, winter wheat, malted barley, oil seed rape and protein beans.

PHOTOS BY BARBARA FLYNN Blake Eccles coming through the hay bale tunnel at the open farm day at Kilmullen House.

Evan O’Brien shows off his milking skills on Daisy the cow, with his sister Chloe and Yvonne O’Loughlin.

Matt Thompson Snr, Matt Thompson, Matt Thompson Jnr and Joan Thompson.

Holly, Magda and Kasia Brennan.

Barra Meakin shakes the milk into butter at the butter disco, with Tegan Gillespie, Erin Golbert and Marykate Condren.

Stephen Cahill and Chloe Caherty.

Rachel Winters, Eimear Douglas and Brian Short decorating the barn walls.